The VC men's basketball team dropped a 76-63 decision to Pasadena Saturday in the semifinals of the Gregg Anderson Memorial Tournament at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster. Caleb Geisendorfer led the Pirates (4-5) with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds and Kai Johnson netted 18. Caleb Gilbert totaled 10 points with eight boards in the setback.
It was a difficult day from the start for Ventura as the Lancers scored the first five points of the game. Geisendorfer's putback at the 18-minute mark got the Pirates on the board, and he netted a pair of free throws and a three to pull VC back to within 19-11 midway through the first half. PCC took full control at that point with a 9-0 run and Ventura played from behind for the rest of the evening. VC trailed 44-25 at halftime.
In the second half, the Pirates could not make up ground on Pasadena despite their best efforts. VC had a 6-0 run midway through the period with a free throw and a three from Geisendorfer and a pair of charity tosses by Carter Alexander closing to within 61-41, but the Lancers answered soon thereafter. Carter hit a three and Rick Djouwe scored to keep the margin at 20, and Ventura finally pulled closer late with a 8-0 run in the final minutes.
The Pirates will next take on tournament host Antelope Valley for third place on Sunday Dec. 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 pm in Lancaster.